FAQ: How green is The Gazette?

None. While our newsprint doesn’t contain any post-consumer recycled paper, it is made from wood chips that are a byproduct of the lumber industry - the trees are not cut down solely to be ground into pulp. Our newsprint supplier, White Birch, meets the Forest Stewardship Council standard which means that the forest management approach and techniques of their wood chips supplier meet the highest standards in the industry. For more about the Forest Stewardship Council go to www.fsccanada.org

What happens to the plastic bags and elastics that are used to deliver my newspaper?

Distributors of The Gazette in the Metropolitan area are contracted to use only biodegradable bags for delivery of the newspaper. In July, 2009 we began collecting and reusing bags and elastics. To participate, please click here.

How has The Gazette reduced waste during the production process of the newspaper?

- Between 2007 and 2009, The Gazette reduced newsprint consumption by over 14% through a variety of initiatives including reducing the width of the paper used.

- We reduced water consumption at our printing plant 35% in 2008 by installing a new water-treatment system that allows us to recycle water used by our platemaking equipment.

- Energy-saving initiatives at our printing plant on St. Jacques St. W. include installing doors to the shipping and receiving areas to conserve heat.

What are Gazette employees doing to help reduce The Gazette's footprint on the environment?

- Disposable cups that used to litter reporters' and editors' desks are gone. Employees now sip coffee and other beverages from company-issued mugs and drinking glasses.

- In 2007, The Gazette drastically reduced printing of internal business documents by making them available electronically to all employees.

- The Gazette is a participant in Défi climat – an initiative endorsed by the city and the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal to encourage employees at Montreal companies to reduce their ecological footprint at home, at work and in their daily commute.

- We have reduced our consumption of paper by four per cent by gradually replacing printers with new ones that print on two sides rather than one, and by making fewer printouts.

What can I do to be an environmentally responsible Gazette reader?

- Montrealers recycle 70% of newspapers in this city. Please make sure that you recycle yours.

- Go green for billing. We can send you your invoice and other subscriber info via email